Schedule 40 conduit run between buildings

[b-boy]

I had a plumber run conduit, water, and gas to an outbuilding last December. I'm just now getting around to running the electrical. I noticed that he used sched 40 conduit. I keep reading about using sched 80 once the conduit comes above ground.

Is this a probelm? Do I need to get this guy back to fix this?

 

[alfredeneuman]

I had a plumber run conduit,.... Do I need to get this guy back to fix this?

Your first mistake was hiring a plumber to run conduit.
You are correct in as far as needing Sch 80 when it emerges grade.
If he is going to charge you for fixing his own mistakes, hire an electrician instead.

 

[b-boy]

I hired a guy to dig a trench, run water, run gas, and lay conduit. He happened to be a plumber. The plumber isn't touching any wire.

Would it have made any more sense to hire an electrician to do those 3 things? Then you'd be telling me I shouldn't hire an electrician to run water and gas lines.

I called electricians, but they did not want to do the digging.

I'm not planning on paying to have it fixed. I just want to make sure I'm in the right about the sched 40.

 

[sberry]

Is it subject to damage, in a hi risk area?

 

[b-boy]

Not really.

It's a ~3 foot section running up the side of my house. The rest is underground and comes up through the slab in my garage.

 

[ard]

If is is subject to damage, then yes it should be 80. Just the part coming out of the ground.

Is your run finished and all terminated? If not, dig down 12 inches, cut the 40, glue on 80. A 20 minute repair. You will spend far more time calling this guy.

And it may not be needed. You're not getting it inspected, right? Really only an inspector can be the arbiter of "is it subject to potential physical damage'. There is no definition of this 'state', so without that nobody can tell you if 80 is required for your use.

So calling the plumber back and busting his chops for 'not a violation' is prolly not a great plan.

 

[pattenp]

Sch 80 is only needed if subject to damage, so it is subjective as when needed. Better safe than sorry, so use sch 80 if it can be whacked by something.

 

[b-boy]

If is is subject to damage, then yes it should be 80. Just the part coming out of the ground.

Is your run finished and all terminated? If not, dig down 12 inches, cut the 40, glue on 80. A 20 minute repair. You will spend far more time calling this guy.

And it may not be needed. You're not getting it inspected, right? Really only an inspector can be the arbiter of "is it subject to potential physical damage'. There is no definition of this 'state', so without that nobody can tell you if 80 is required for your use.

So calling the plumber back and busting his chops for 'not a violation' is prolly not a great plan.

Not finished yet.

I'll just fix it myself.

I wasn't thrilled with the mess the guy left me after the work was completed, so I'd rather not deal with him again.

 

[sberry]

I have never had it called out on a residential. Have done nearly a hundred, never used an 80.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Unless it comes up a wall, or some protective space, it would call for Sch 80.
Running up the side of a house doesn't qualify.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I have never had it called out on a residential. Have done nearly a hundred, never used an 80.

Just curious.
How can you be issued a permit if you are an unlicensed person?

The owner of the property is (officially) the only one besides licensed contractors that can pull permits and has sign an affidavit that he is going to perform all the work himself..... unless you have nearly a hundred on your property alone

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Just curious.
How can you be issued a permit if you are an unlicensed person?

The owner of the property is (officially) the only one besides licensed contractors that can pull permits and has sign an affidavit that he is going to perform all the work himself..... unless you have nearly a hundred on your property alone

Just an FYI.

Not all states and not all AHJs require licenses...

 

[alfredeneuman]

I think the State of Michigan does , however

Why don't let him tell us himself?

 

[Bert_]

I rarely use sch. 80. Subject to damage is subject to interpretation. If it is actually in an area where it might get hit then IMC or rigid is the only way to go, sch 40 for everything else. Schedule 80 pvc breaks almost as easy as sch. 40. Just because it comes out of the ground does not mean it is subject to damage.

 

[sberry]

I don't hang out the shingle. At one point we had a township inspector. It's state now, I do have a few of my own and had a chance to meet the newer inspector. I only have 3 or 4 services by will do an entrance for a friend or 2 and have them help and pull the permit.
I have done this enough over the last 35 plus years that i know exactly what they sposed to look like. I can't afford to have someone start asking,, wtf and who did it.

 

[sberry]

I think I did 2 or 3 last year, last one the owner helped and a there during the inspection. He said... he said exactly What you said he would say and commented that it was how it should be. Same for the ruff, only asked that 1 recept be moved 1 stud bay and we didn't know about a wall yet.